Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-08-03
Training 8 Watch Dog.

According to the Farmers Gazette,
of Dublin, in an article on the training
of q watchdog, the mastiff is the typ.
ical watchdog, though both the New
foundland and the st. Bernard are
recommended.
Many people who buy dog to
guard their persons and property
never for moment think which breed
is most suitable, or attempt to train
him for his duties, simply contenting
themselves with an animal they are
told sis q good guard" The dog is
then taken home, chained up in the
back premises, and if he barks and
tugs at his chain the owner is quite
content, thinking he has got O. good
watchdog at last. Many are quitel
satisfied if the poor brute terrifies all
trespassers, it never entering the heads
OF such owners that the barking and
tugging at the chain may simply be
the dogs protest at being so miser-
ably and inhumanly treated. Feroc.
ity in watchdog is not needed, but
high courage, which is q nobler quail
ity, compatible with cultivated mental
faculties, is.
In training q dog as a guard, get a
puppy, ana remember that the first
law to instill into him is the same as
that taught to the raw recruit-im.
plicit obedience. He must be prompt
in coming to your call, and lie down
immediately when he is ordered. In
one OF his first lessons something
should be placed on the ground that
the owner has carried about with him
or has handled for some time, calling
the dogs attention to it and make him
lie on it, pointing to it, cautioning him
with such words as ''guard it, stake
care of it," etc. It is necessary to be
careful that one form OF order only is
used, so as not to confuse the dog.
After he appears to understand you,
the trainer should go away and hide
behind something, 80 that he may
see whether the dog deserts his
charge. If so show at once and take
him back, speaking slernly to him, so
that he may know that he is being
scolded and has done wrong. He
should not be shouted at or bullied
or thrashed. Make him lie down
again, and repeat the lesson till he
understands and obeys. Care must
be taken that the lesson is not too
severe, and that he is not kept too
long on guard, otherwise he will be-
come disguised with his work. Short
lessons and often IS the motto, so as
to properly impress upon his mind
while he is young.
When he has learned this lesson
fairly we'll, let some one go, and not too
roughly attempt to take the article
away from him; if he resents this, let
the man start back, as though afraid,
and then renew the attempt. The
trainer should then be present, and
encourage the dog, and should
the attempt to get possession
of the article have been sue
cessful, the trainer should collar
the man and call on the dog to help,
getting possession again after an ap.
parent struggle. If the youngster has
done well, do not be afraid to give
him ample praise for it, and as the
man who has attempted to steal the
article should be known to the dog,
it's first impression will be that it is
only fun, and he will be delighted, and
run around barking at having been a
party to such sport. When he has
learned to guard certain article, it
gives him distinct idea of protection,
and soon learns him to take all his
masters property under his care.